SA confident about Louca extradition

Johannesburg - The Justice Department was confident on Monday that Cyprus's Supreme Court of Appeal would reject murder-accused George Louca's appeal against his extradition to South Africa.

“We are confident that the appeal court will dismiss his application and confirm (the) extradition order so that Interpol can facilitate his (Louca’s) return to South Africa as soon as possible,” said spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga.

“Our legal system is recognised globally, as seen in the (Shrien) Dewani case.”

Louca submitted that he feared for his life if extradited to South Africa. Judgment in the matter was expected on Tuesday.

He is wanted in connection with the death of Teazers strip club boss Lolly Jackson, who was shot dead on May 3, 2010, at a house in Edleen, near OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park.

Louca, also known as Louca Smith, allegedly called Gauteng crime intelligence boss Joey Mabasa and confessed to killing Jackson shortly after the murder.

“He is a known person of interest to us in regards to the Lolly Jackson murder, and if the extradition were to take place, it would assist us to get to the bottom of Jackson's murder,” said Hawks spokesman Captain Paul Ramaloko.